Fort Lauderdale flights and travel guide

The Venice of America, Fort Lauderdale is built around thousands of canals and inland waterways. Getting around is an experience like no other in America, cheap water taxis whizz you downtown from the beach to shopping and dining opportunities on Las Olas Boulevard.

About 45 minutes north of Miami and four hours south of Orlando, in the middle of South Florida's Gold Coast, Fort Lauderdale used to be Spring Break Central. College students landed on cheap flights to Fort Lauderdale and partied for a week nonstop. In recent years, with older, cheaper, motels demolished and hotels such as the St Regis and Hilton springing up, Fort Lauderdale has grown up. Now couples and families visit for the beaches, cultural, historical and, of course, social events.

There's plenty to see. Along with the Blue Wave beaches are the Museum of Discovery and Science, Museum of Arts, Broward Center for the Performing Arts and Stranahan House all within walking distance, along the New River.

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Fort Lauderdale climate

Fort Lauderdale has a tropical climate. An average year-round temperature of 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit) and endless sunshine is reason alone to book cheap flights to Fort Lauderdale. There are two seasons - wet and dry. The wet season, hot and humid, runs from May to October, taking in most of Hurricane Season (June 1 to September 30). The dry season (November through April) is milder with little rain.

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When to fly to Fort Lauderdale

Peak Season:
Runs mid-December to mid-May and July and August when schools are out and families take vacations in Fort Lauderdale. 

Shoulder Season:
October to mid-December is the shoulder season when cheap flights to Fort Lauderdale and accommodations are easier to find. 

Off Season:
Takes in much of the Hurricane Season. The months of mid-May to September are, if you want to take a chance on the weather - and save on flights and hotels, the best time to visit Fort Lauderdale .

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Getting downtown Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport has several transportation options for those who have just landed on cheap flights to Fort Lauderdale. There is a new Rental Car Center with several major car-rental companies including Alamo, Avis, Budget, Hertz and Dollar. There are also public transportation options with Broward County Transit (BCT) buses and Tri-Rail (commuter train) feeder buses. Shared-ride transportation options include a luxury sedan or van from GO Airport Shuttle. There is also private car service.

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Getting around Fort Lauderdale

Ample parking and wide-flung city limits make driving the easiest way to get around Fort Lauderdale. Renting a car is best, and you can often find package deals when you book your cheap flight to Fort Lauderdale. Major car rental companies can be found at the airport. If you’re not a driver, there are plenty of taxis around the city, but they are expensive. The bus is much cheaper, but is very complicated. You can also take a water taxi downtown via the New River and the waterway.

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Fort Lauderdale insider information

• Popular with residents and visitors is the Riverwalk area. After taking cheap flights to Fort Lauderdale, its tropical landscape and views of the city, outdoor cafes, gazebos and park benches make it a wonderful place for an evening stroll.
• Stranahan House is Fort Lauderdale's most historic building. It was built by Frank Stranahan in 1901 as a trading post for settlers and the Seminole Indians. Over the years it evolved into the post office, community centre and town hall as Stranahan became a postmaster, banker and businessman. He married Ivy Julia Cromartie, a fellow pioneer and the area's first school teacher. In 1906, it became the Stranahans' personal residence and remained so until Ivy's death in 1971.
• At Hugh Taylor Birch State Park you can camp, hike, bike, skate or Segway around the park. A day at the beach, picnicking, or getting fresh air and some exercise costs just $1 for pedestrians and up to $4 for a car load of up to eight people.
• Butterfly World in Tradewinds Park, 16km north of Fort Lauderdale has one of the world's largest collections of butterflies.

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Fort Lauderdale airports

Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International (FLL) (website: www.broward.org/airport) The airport is located 40km north of Miami and 8km from the beaches of Fort Lauderdale.

Alternative Airports (distances in km): Miami International (33); West Palm Beach International Airport (68)

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